MINSK: Workers at a state-run factory confronted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko with chants of “Leave!” on Monday as pressure built on the strongman to step down over a disputed election.

Employees at several factories and state television walked off the job after a historic protest on Sunday brought tens of thousands to the streets in the biggest opposition rallies in Lukashenko’s 26 years in power.

In footage widely shared on social media, workers at the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT) interrupted Lukashenko with shouts of “Leave!” as he tried to give a speech.

A visibly angry Lukashenko walked off the stage, saying: “Thank you, I have said everything. You can shout ‘Leave’.” Pressure has been building on the ex-Soviet nation’s longtime leader since the August 9 election, which he claims to have won with 80 percent of the vote.

More than 100,000 people took part in a “March for Freedom” in the capital Minsk on Sunday following calls from main opposition figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya for continued demonstrations.

A brutal police crackdown has drawn widespread condemnation and appears to have turned even Lukashenko’s support base at state-owned industries against him.

European Union leaders are to hold an emergency video summit on Belarus on Wednesday, while Germany said it was prepared to back an expansion of previously announced sanctions.

President Donald Trump said the United States was following events “very closely” in Belarus, describing it as a “terrible situation”.

Hundreds of workers and protesters gathered outside the MZKT plant where Lukashenko was visiting, waving the red-and-white flag of the opposition and demanding his resignation.

“We plan to participate in all peaceful strikes, in all peaceful protest actions... so that the government will finally realise they are fighting with their own people,” Ilya Rybkin, a 30-year-old road worker, said.

After flying in by helicopter, Lukashenko told the workers he would not give in to calls for a new election.

“You will never expect me to do something under pressure,” he was quoted as saying by his press service.

In another video recording of the speech, he said: “Until you kill me, there will be no elections.” Yet he suggested that he may be willing to hand over power following a referendum on the constitution.

In comments broadcast on state television, Lukashenko said after his speech that elections could only be held if a new constitution were approved.

“You should get it approved in a referendum and then, using that new constitution, if you want, hold both parliamentary or presidential elections.” Demonstrators also gathered outside the Minsk headquarters of state television, where local media reported that 600 people joined the strike.

Maria Kolesnikova, a senior opposition leader, joined the protesters, saying: “I know how scared you are, because we are all scared. Thank you for overcoming your fear and joining the majority.” Production at the Belaruskali potash producer was partially suspended after workers in one of the country’s most important sectors joined the walkout, Russian news agencies reported.

Potash, used to make fertiliser, is a major source of income for Belarus, which is one of the largest producers in the world.

Lukashenko has defied calls to stand down after the election that saw him imprison his closest rivals, shun independent observers and unleash a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters.

The opposition called for a general strike after hundreds of workers at state-run factories first downed tools last week.

In a video posted online Monday, Tikhanovskaya — who insists she won the election — said that although she never planned to enter politics she was prepared to temporarily take over the country’s leadership.

“Fate decreed that I’d find myself on the frontline of a confrontation against arbitrary rule and injustice,” Tikhanovskaya, said in exile in Lithuania.

“I am ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader during this period.” Tikha­novskaya has demanded the authorities release all detainees, remove security forces from the streets and open criminal cases against those who ordered the crackdown. She has also said she will organise new elections if Lukashenko steps down.

Britain said Monday it did not recognise the results of the “fraudulent” election and called for an independent investigation into the vote.

Nato member Lithuania warned that Belarus had started military drills on its western border and accused Lukashenko of escalating tensions.

The Kremlin, Lukashenko’s closest ally, has said it is ready to step in if necessary.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2020